The US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency intensified its crackdown, prompting a surge of “ET” jokes online. ICE recently detained over 100 undocumented construction workers in Tallahassee and even aired a controversial advert urging neighbours to report “aliens” causing trouble. Here’s how people reacted.
🏗️ Mass arrests near Florida State University
On Thursday, ICE swept through construction sites around Tallahassee, rounding up more than 100 undocumented labourers. Masked officers in camouflage detained workers at a site near Florida State University’s Doak Campbell Stadium. FSU later clarified it had not shared any information with ICE.
Those arrested came from Nicaragua, El Salvador, Guatemala, Mexico, Venezuela, Colombia and Honduras, among others.
🤝 Local outrage over lost workers
One X user lamented:
“Lost a lot of good men today. I like Trump but this isn’t what I voted for. This will absolutely kill the economy in construction. I thought he was going after gang members and criminals with warrants. Not hardworking guys.”
Many echoed that sentiment, arguing ICE’s raids hurt families and local businesses.
👽 The “alien” advert sparks mockery
Stephen Miller, the architect of the aggressive deportation push, rolled out a new advert urging people to snitch on their “brown and black neighbours” if they suspect them of wrongdoing. The ad explicitly asked:
“Has an alien harmed you or your loved ones?”
Naturally, social media users seized on the sci-fi connotation. On X, one commenter quipped:
“So now Ice is asking if ET hurt you? Are we reporting aliens or undocumented workers? Because last I checked, little green men aren’t building houses in Florida.”
Another added:
“Next thing you know, ICE will be rounding up E.T. after phone home rumours. Can someone tell them the ‘aliens’ are just humans?”
📢 Stephen Miller doubles down
Miller defended the advert as a “vital tool” to protect communities. He said:
“We’re simply asking citizens to report any alien-related harm. It’s a matter of public safety.”
Critics pointed out that “alien” in US immigration parlance refers to non-citizens, not extraterrestrials. They slammed Miller’s wording as fearmongering.
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